Good people never suffer; this old idea is alive. We hear it from preachers in the radio, and even in the pulpits of our churches. This popular philosophy says that a good God would never permit unjust people to be unpunished. On the first view, this argumentation makes sense. But it ignores completely the realities of the life as well as the scriptures. People assume wrongly, that nothing good can come from suffering, this way; they ignore the teachings of the bible. According to the Holy Scriptures, there are many positive results of suffering.

The bible says that suffering has the capacity to deeper and develops patience. Paul wrote: "... but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope". Romans 5:3-4. This same word is used in Hebrews 12:1 "... run with perseverance".

Patience involves “perseverance ". That’s why the athletes submit their bodies to long and hard hours of exercise. Patiently, they support the sufferings today so they may have resistance to run tomorrow. The believer who learned the suffering discipline won’t give up on their carrier.

The Scriptures also tell us that suffering produces character (James 1:2-4). The strongest Christian characters that I know are people who supported considerable sufferings. Paul informs that the suffering also prepares us to serve better a troubled society. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God”. (II Corinthians 1:3-4)

Only when we support our sufferings, we are able to identify ourselves with the sufferings of others and ministry God’s comfort to them.

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
(Philippians 1:29)